Anniversary

For 20 years the Via Christi Cancer Center has provided world-class care to cancer patients in the area. Friday the Hospital celebrated that success, with a reception and balloon launch.

Medical Oncology services started in 1988 when the hospital entered a contract with the University of Kansas Medical Center, by 1995 the hospital had its own center.

According to hospital officials, more than 7,500 people have been treated in the Four-State Region.

Officials said it was the community who demanded and took the lead in building the cancer center, raising more than 50 percent of the cost of building and equipping the cancer center.

From beginning of the program has been accredited by American College of Surgeons. In 2013 it was recognized as Outstanding Cancer Program. One of two programs in Kansas so honored, the other was KU Med.

"Twenty years ago today, comprehensive care became available in Pittsburg," Hospital Spokesman Michael Haslip said. "Today we reflect on the past, but look forward to the future."

Hospital Senior Administrator Randy Cason spoke to that future.

"We have plans to add a permanent PET CT Scanner. We have goals of becoming a Breast Center of Excellence," he said. "We have already taken steps in that regard.

Early detection and screenings have made a huge impact in the fight against cancer, and technology such as 3D mammography ... is the right step that we need to take for our cancer center, for our community for our region in helping to treat and fight breast cancer."

Johnna Norton, Executive Director Mt. Carmel Foundation, also discussed the future as well as the past of the center and the hospital's relationship with the foundation.

"The Mt. Carmel Foundation was founded in 1983 by citizens in our community who recognized the need to have the best health care we could," Norton said. "Its mission then ... as it is today, is to improve healthcare in Southeast Kansas and our region by helping to fund the needs and support the hospital here in Pittsburg.

"Over the last 30 plus years the foundation has given back more than $5 million dollars to help fund things from big projects like the third floor renovation of the Women's Center to apnea monitors needed by babies in the (pediatric) unit."

To that end, Norton said, she was announcing the next big project for the foundation.

"A next step for us in cancer prevention is bringing 3D mammography to Pittsburg," she said. "It is our intent to raise the $400,000 needed. Over 4,000 women annually have their mammograms here, and that number will increase."

Norton noted that one-in-eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 3D mammography can improve by 40 percent the invasive breast cancer detection rate, improve overall detection rate by 27 percent and lower recall rates by 15 percent.

After the presentation, hospital employees and guests launched balloons into the sky in celebration, the colors representing the various types of cancer and the months designated in awareness of cancer.